Maynard Police and Fire to Launch Joint Emergency Dispatch Center

Maynard Police Department

3 years ago

Thursday, July 16, 2015

MAYNARD — Police Chief Mark W. Dubois and Fire Chief Anthony Stowers are pleased to announce that The Town of Maynard is in the final stages of combining police and fire dispatch into one joint, civilian emergency communications center.

The communications center is scheduled to open by July 27. It will be overseen by Chief Dubois and Chief Stowers and managed by Anne Camaro, who, along with representatives from both departments, has hired a set of full-time dispatchers trained in both fire and police dispatch procedures.

“It is our hope that the communications center will increase efficiency and decrease response time,” Chief Dubois said. “It will also allow more police officers and firefighters to be in the community serving residents and responding to calls for service.”

The Police and Fire Departments will have an auto attendant phone system for general business calls, where residents can reach specific police or fire officials or divisions. Emergency dispatchers are always available but should only be contacted during emergency situations.

Residents are asked not to call dispatch to schedule inspections, issue permits or to inquire about an emergency situation in progress. Fire department inspections and permits can still be arraigned through the fire department. If you need a permit signed or an inspection scheduled, call the Maynard Fire Department business line at 978-897-1014 and choose the correct option from the menu.

Many inspections and permits can also be obtained or scheduled using the town website.

With the new dispatch center opening in a different location, citizens may notice that if the fire trucks are out of the station on a call, the fire house may not be manned at all times.

The phone numbers for the department will remain the same, and there will be an option to talk with a dispatcher, but there may not be a firefighter in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week to set up appointments or inspections, or to answer a code compliance questions. Anyone who arrives at the Fire Station with an emergency and cannot locate an official should immediately call 911.

“We are extremely excited about having this project come to fruition,” Chief Stowers said. “The dispatch center will increase efficiency by streamlining department communications and will also allow us to better serve the public.”

We urge members of the public to, as always, dial 911 in case of an emergency!